Leaping Lion Backgammon Set with Inlaid Roundels — Handmade in Armenia
A lion in mid-leap, jaws open and mane cut in layered locks, fills the lobed frame of this carved backgammon set, its forepaws landing on a bed of leaf scrolls and its tail curling behind. The frame is rope-bordered on a stippled ground, with a diamond lattice border and scroll corners around it. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.
The second outer face is quieter: pale and dark squares inlaid as a chequered panel, a whorl disc carved at each end of it, and the same lattice border running round the edge of the wooden backgammon board.
Inside, the points are pale wood inlays with arrow tips, an interlaced pale-wood roundel is set at the centre of each half, an arcade runs along the far edge and three dice recesses are let into each side rail. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of dice are included.
Specifications
- Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
- Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
- Material: beech wood, dark stained with pale wood inlays, brass hinges and clasps
- Carving: leaping lion over leaf scrolls in a lobed, rope-bordered frame with a diamond lattice border; inlaid chequered panel between two whorl discs on the other face
- Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
- Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an interlaced pale-wood roundel in each half; arcaded far edge, three dice recesses per side rail
- Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
- Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia
What's Included
- Folding beech backgammon board
- 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut
- Dice
Why You'll Love It
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A lion in motion: not a crest but an animal caught leaping, body stretched from paws to tail.
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Depth where it matters: the mane and the scroll under the paws stand highest, the stippled ground drops away behind.
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Pale inlay inside: arrow-tipped points and an interlaced roundel in each half, set into the dark beech.
Good to Know Before You Buy
Is the lion carved in the round? It is a high relief cut into the lid — the mane, shoulder and scroll stand well proud of the stippled ground, but the back of the lion is the board itself. The old copy's 'hours, layer by layer' is dropped; the photos speak for the depth.
What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free worldwide and tracked. Every set is covered by our 30-day returns policy.
How do I look after it? Brush the carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed with the checkers inside.
Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.
